House of the Rising Son by Sherrilyn Kenyon

away.
    Her hands trembling, she cut the ropes that bound her husband. The pain in his eyes wrung her heart.
    Aricles wiped the blood away from his lips. “It’s just a mild disagreement, goddess.”
    She was aghast that he’d dare defend them after the cruelty she’d just witnessed. Enraged, she touched one of the horrid whip marks on his back. It was a full quarter inch deep and left his skin bleeding and ravaged. “If this is mild, I’d hate to see severe.” She covered him with her cloak. Rising to her feet, she passed a chiding stare over all of them.
    None of them appeared the least bit contrite. If anything, their eyes held a light that said they’d be back on him as soon as she was gone.
    Bathymaas ground her teeth before she stepped away. “Aricles, walk with me.”
    Each of the men spat at him as he approached her.
    Even his own brother.
    And that broke her heart and ignited her fury.
    Bathymaas scowled at them. “You are a team.”
    â€œWere,” Haides snarled. “Now we’re two men down. None of us want Aricles with us after this.”
    She saw the unity inside their hearts and it sickened her. “Galenus? Are you in agreement?”
    He glared at his brother before he nodded.
    Aching for Aricles, she led him away from the camp while the others started the preparations for Hector’s funeral. She felt for his loss and bled over the needless sacrifice. Hector had been a good man.
    But right now, her thoughts were preoccupied with her husband.
    She sighed heavily. “Tell me what Apollo is using to keep you from fighting.”
    â€œBathia—”
    She stopped and turned to face him. “I want the truth, Ari. Tell me.”
    Anguish darkened his eyes as he glanced back to the Ēperon. “He knows about us, and if he finds out that I’ve told you, he’ll kill you.”
    She scoffed at the ludicrous threat. “He doesn’t have those powers.”
    â€œBut he has the power to tell the other gods that you’re no longer virgin.”
    â€œSo what if he does?”
    His blue eyes singed her. “You will be shamed.”
    â€œThere are worst things in this world.”
    He shook his head. “I can’t allow that to happen to you because of me. I can’t.”
    â€œAnd I can’t allow you to be called a coward by your brother and friends for protecting me. How can you ask that of me, your wife?”
    â€œBathia, please.”
    She glanced down at his ravaged body and shook her head. “I won’t allow this. I won’t. ”
    Before he could stop her or she could reconsider, she took his hand and returned them to where the others were preparing Hector’s body.
    Aricles started away, but she grabbed his arm and pulled him back to her. When he opened his mouth to protest, she gave him the hottest kiss of his life.
    Utter silence descended. Aricles felt the heat creep over his face as he realized they were the center of everyone’s attention. Pulling back, he swept his gaze across five pairs of widened, shocked eyes.
    Bathymaas turned to face them. Stepping back against his chest, she pulled his arm around her waist and held it there. “Aricles and I are married. The Greek god Apollo found out and he threatened to discredit and shame me before the other gods unless Aricles refused to fight. To protect my honor and name, he has allowed all of you to insult and attack him, and I will not stand for him to be hurt again. By anyone.”
    Aricles wouldn’t have thought they could have been more shocked.
    He was wrong. For several minutes no one moved or spoke.
    They didn’t even blink.
    Not until Galen stepped forward and punched him. Hard. “You bastard! You married and didn’t tell me?”
    Bathymaas moved to blast him, but Aricles caught her hand before she could damage his brother.
    â€œIt’s all right, my lady. That’s his normal reaction.”
    Her